Oxford Sparks Big Questions
Oxford Sparks
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How do you convert CO2 to rock?
We're living in an age of rapid technological development which - alongside many benefits - comes at an environmental cost. We speak to Dr Shurui Miao, an experimental chemist who aims to decouple…
From the Milk on the Move podcast: Purity and Danger
This week we are featuring a special bonus episode from our friends at the Milk on the Move podcast. Milk on the Move explores milk's deep cultural roots, evolving scientific narratives and the…
What was Einstein doing in Oxford?
If you've had the chance to visit Oxford's History of Science Museum, you may have found yourself gazing upon a rather special blackboard. Featuring equations that connect the age, size and density…
Where do baby penguins come from?
For this year's Valentine's Day episode, we are getting up close and personal with those most beloved of birds - penguins. Giving us an insight into the love lives of our feathered friends are…
How can I use AI to raise my salary?
How much more money could you earn - doing the exact same role - if you're in possession of some solid AI skills? That's one of the core questions that Dr Fabian Stephany, a researcher at the Oxford…
Could stuff be living on Saturn's moon?
Are we alone in the Universe? It's surely one of the biggest questions out there. In our first episode of 2026 we chat to Dr Carly Howett, Associate Professor of Space Instrumentation in Oxford's…
What happened to the birds in 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'?
We all know it. We've all sung it. Perhaps we've even answered a quiz question about it*. The Twelve Days of Christmas has become as quintessentially festive as a figgy pudding, or the bad joke in…
What is quantum computing?
Want to make something feel immediately complicated, inaccessible or downright mysterious? Stick the word 'quantum' in front of it. Or, at least, that's how many of us feel. But don't worry!…
Could vaccinations stop people from getting cancer?
Finding a cure for cancer is unarguably one of the biggest medical challenges that we face. But what if we could find a way to prevent cancer before it even starts? In this special extended edition…
Why do I bite my nails?
Many of us will be familiar with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs), perhaps without even realising it. Such behaviours - which include hair-pulling, nail biting and skin picking - can not…
How do you find a theoretical particle?
How do you detect a particle that emits no light - in other words, something invisible? This is the intriguing challenge faced by scientists hunting for 'dark matter'. In our series finale, we talk…
Is there a better way to screen blood?
What's the best gift you can give? To the millions of people whose lives have been saved by complete strangers, the answer would be simple: blood. But what exactly happens when blood has been…
How does Ozempic actually work?
Whether you've been served an advert for it, or just heard about it in the media, it's likely that 'Ozempic' isn't a totally unfamiliar word. Now often associated with weight-loss, Ozempic is…
Why does a stranger's phone noise annoy me?
We've all been there...you're on the train, maybe tired after a long day, and all you can hear is one side of a fellow passenger's not-too-interesting phone conversation. Or worse, their choice of…
What's the origin of water on Earth?
With more than 70% of its surface covered in water, Earth is rightly known as the "blue planet". But where did this water - so essential to life - originate? While some theories suggest that hydrogen…
How can robots investigate underwater volcanoes?
What do you do when the subject of your research lies deep beneath the waves? Send down an underwater robot, of course! We chat to volcanologist Sofia Della Sala about her recent fieldwork expedition…
What is it like to be on Countdown?
"I still don't believe it happened..." What's it like to face the most famous clock on television? We chat to Oxford mathematician Dr Tom Crawford - best known as the creator of the award-winning…
What happens after a dementia diagnosis?
One in two people will be affected by dementia in their lifetime - whether that is as a patient, or somebody caring for a loved one. But what happens after a dementia diagnosis? Is there a clear…
Is it OK to laugh at Tourette's?
In popular culture, Tourette's syndrome is wrongly associated solely with outbursts of swearing in the context of lazy jokes. But in reality, the condition is far more complex than this stereotype…
What is a dinosaur highway?
If you were hunting for some fossilised dinosaur footprints, where would you go? To a remote part of North or South America, perhaps? A deserted wilderness for sure... But how about Oxfordshire? We…
Frequently Asked Questions
Oxford Sparks Big Questions has published 100 episodes since October 2020, covering topics in Natural Sciences, Science.
Oxford Sparks Big Questions is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 13m.
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